Spyderco Stretch Original

[Wartstein]

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Thanks Warstein for posting that the HAP40 original Stretch is available at BentoBox. I missed out way back when, but I went ahead and got one. I soon have 3 Stretches - VG-10, ZDP-189, with HAP40 coming.
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Glad one who obviously knows and appreciates this amazing design is going to have a great trio soon !!

[dan31]

Everyone lay off the bento box shop HAP40’s. This is my secret place. They don’t accept returns so I know I am getting an item straight from the factory.

[Wartstein]

Everyone lay off the bento box shop HAP40’s. This is my secret place. They don’t accept returns so I know I am getting an item straight from the factory.

They offer the HAP40 Endura for just 125 USD now ... I have one of those already, but still if I was living in the US I'd get another one as a backup.

[Doc Dan]

The Stretch 1 had the better choil by far. However, the Stretch 1 wasn't comfortable to my hand and the 2 is. I think the big hook on the end was partially to blame. My hand wanted to be outside of that hook. I don't know, but if feels as if the 2 has a little more grip room.

[Wartstein]

The Stretch 1 had the better choil by far. However, the Stretch 1 wasn't comfortable to my hand and the 2 is. I think the big hook on the end was partially to blame. My hand wanted to be outside of that hook. I don't know, but if feels as if the 2 has a little more grip room.

Completely agree on the choil:
Short, shallow, but wide radius. Perfect.

/ The Stretch 2 has noticeably more grip room indeed.
I am still surprised though that the "1" felt to small for your hand: I know you like the Manix, and the Stretch 1 actually offers a tad MORE space behind the choil than a Manix...

[petz462]

Excellent thread, about time for some pics.
The top two are of course Stretch 1's. For comparison is a Stretch 2 at bottom and it's easy to see the choil and handle differences. Hope the photo helps those interested. Take care, Dave

[petz462]

double post.

[Bolster]

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Nice comparison shot, thanks for the photo.

[AHarbuck]

Love my endura Hap40. This has me thinking about the Stretch 1 variant…

[Doc Dan]

The Stretch 1 had the better choil by far. However, the Stretch 1 wasn't comfortable to my hand and the 2 is. I think the big hook on the end was partially to blame. My hand wanted to be outside of that hook. I don't know, but if feels as if the 2 has a little more grip room.

Completely agree on the choil:
Short, shallow, but wide radius. Perfect.

/ The Stretch 2 has noticeably more grip room indeed.
I am still surprised though that the "1" felt to small for your hand: I know you like the Manix, and the Stretch 1 actually offers a tad MORE space behind the choil than a Manix...

Weird, isn't it, but hands are different. The M2 is a little close, but it works. The Stretch 2 works better. I like the blade on the M2 a lot, but the SSS is also good. I'd still take my backlock M2 as first choice.

[Wartstein]

Love my endura Hap40. This has me thinking about the Stretch 1 variant…

Get one, as long as you can find them for reasonable prices... I am sure you won't regret it! (Unless you have XXL hands, in that case the Stretch 2 will fit better - but can't be had in HAP40).

[Wartstein]

Old comparison pic of Stretch 1 / straight spine Stretch 2 / "regular" blade shape Stretch 2

- Stretch 1 having a more compact handle but still more cutting edge (knives lined up at where the edge begins, a square on the paper is 5 mm)

- Stretch 1 having a shorter, but actually a bit wider radiuessed choil

- Stretch 1 having an a bit pointier tip than the original blade shape Stretch 2 (best compromise for me between that and the very pointy straight spine tip)

- Stretch 1 with that pronounced pinky hook: Very nice, as long as your hand still fits the handle (mine, L to XL, does no problem)

- Sidenote: The straight spine Stretch 2 offers more edge than the "original" Stretch 2:
For one the ss has an a hair longer blade, plus the blade part of its choil is shorter (eats up less cutting edge)

[BLUETYPEII]

Hey all! Recently picked up an OG Stretch in Hap40. Totally in love with the ergos and blade shape. Unfortunately this means I’m not a huge fan of the Stretch 2. It’s been hard trying to find any original Stretch versions out there for sale. Especially since people mislabel them as Stretch 2s. Does anyone have leads on vendors that still may have some old models laying around? Cheers!

Check Sooner State Knives, they have a bunch of discounted stuff. I’ve heard they are reputable but I’ve never bought from them but just double check that they are a dealer on Spyderco

[kriezek]

Now that I have my Stretches from Bentobox along with ZDP-189 faithful, figured I would toss a photo in. Thanks again for the heads up.

[Sharp Guy]

I had the HAP40 Stretch 1 for awhile. Never carried it. I've only sold a handful of knives and that Stretch was one of them. No regrets because I did keep a VG10 Stretch and aslo have the first SS Stretch (VG10 & Ivory FRN). I've been carrying them both lately and they're definitely worth keeping

[ninemm]

Now that I have my Stretches from Bentobox along with ZDP-189 faithful, figured I would toss a photo in. Thanks again for the heads up.

Great pic! And the ZDP Stretch is so nice! Hopefully the HAP40 lives up to expectations

[Wartstein]

Now that I have my Stretches from Bentobox along with ZDP-189 faithful, figured I would toss a photo in. Thanks again for the heads up.
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Glad I could help.. and its cool to see these three variants in one pic!

Even more so, since burnt orange and british racing green belong to my most favorite handle colors (they are very different, I know )

If you want to look at really beautiful Stretches (custom scales) I recommend the home page of long term forum member "the Deacon"

http://paulberetta.com/

[Philo Beddoe]

Another cool Stretch..Super Blue..

[Manixguy@1994]

One more . MG2

[Wartstein]

I was searching for pics of the comboedge Stretch 1 I once had, and this old one is the only one I could still find.
Actually comparing the blades of Stretch 1 comboedge, Endela SE and Salt 2 SE.

- For one it can be seen that the serrations on the Stretch are really "deep" and "aggressive", especially compared to the Endelas (I personally did not like that).

- But it also shows again the for a knife with choil great edge-to-handle ratio of the Stretch 1:
In handle length (11.3 mm) it is even a tad closer to the Salt 2 (10.8 mm) than to the Endela (11.9 mm), but still that compact Stretch 1 offers 81 mm (3.19") of cutting edge (and a choil), compared to 76 (2.99") on the Endela and 67mm (2.65) on the Salt 2.
The latter two without a real finger choil.